Williston man fatally shot near Circle K on SR 40

Thursday

While investigating that shooting, deputies received a report of another one about six blocks away.

A Williston-area man was found fatally shot inside a car parked at a Circle K gas station in Ocala.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the death, identified the man as 18-year-old June Hugo.

The shooting occurred near the store at 5986 W. State Road 40 and was reported at 12:38 a.m. Thursday.

When sheriff's deputies and Ocala police officers arrived, they found a red Nissan sedan with its back window shot out and an apparent bullet hole in the driver's side door, according to MCSO. Hugo was inside the car.

He was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he died. While officials said Hugo was not alone in the Nissan, they would not reveal who else was in the vehicle with the victim. Detectives also would not say what type of weapon was used or how many times Hugo was shot or where.

While investigating the incident, deputies received a report of another shooting about six blocks away in the 600 block of Northwest 58h Court, which is in the Ocala Ridge subdivision. Sheriff's officials went to the scene and recovered evidence of a shooting there.

Sheriff's detectives believe the two are related, adding the shooting occurred in he 600 block of NW 58h Court. Several people who live in the area old a Star-Banner that they did not see or heard any gunshots.

While investigating the scene at the Circle K, deputies stopped a Mustang in the roadway just outside the store's property. They detained two people as persons of interest. Detectives did not release the names, ages or genders of the two. They did say the two were being questioned. The two were later released; no one has been arrested for the shooting.

The Nissan and Mustang were towed and will be inspected by Sheriff's Office officials for any evidence.

Hugo's mother told the Star-Banner that her son was "an awesome kid" who worked hard. He was the father to a 1-year-old boy and had another child on he way.

"He loved playing video games and helping people," said a tearful Carmen Maldonado.

She said her son was born in Philadelphia and moved to this area 12 years ago.

"They shot him down like a dog," Maldonado said.

She said he had two older brothers and a younger sister.

School officials said Hugo was a former West Port High School student.

According to local law enforcement records, Hugo has been both a victim and a suspect in several cases. In late January 2018, Hugo was shot in a drive-by shooting in the 7800 block of W. SR 40. Sheriff's Office officials eventually dropped the case after not receiving any leads.

Four months later, a 16-year-old boy accused Hugo and another individual of robbing him at gunpoint and stealing his cash and cellphone. The victim alleged Hugo hit him in he back of the head with the gun. A warrant was issued for Hugo's arrest, and he was taken into custody last month, according to Sheriff's Office records.

Anyone with any information about the shooting can call Detective Bradley Bartlett at 438-5932, or Crime Stoppers at 368-7867 or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.